FORT WORTH — Wendy Davis burst into the national political consciousness this summer as a feminist folk hero. She was a titan in pink tennis shoes, a single mother who became a lawyer, stood up to the Republican boys club and, against all odds, temporarily halted enactment of a restrictive abortion bill.

Last week, a different side of the Democratic state senator emerged: the devoted daughter of an ailing father, Jerry Russell, who is well known in Fort Worth theater circles but isn’t mentioned in her compelling campaign biography. Her mother, a sixth grade dropout who made do without child ...

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Comments (85)

September 1, 2013 @ 7:23 a.m.

Ellen Miller

Please tell me Texas Democrats have a better candidate than this woman. Please tell me they are fielding more thoughtful, considered lawmakers than Davis, who turned our State House into a Ringling, Bingling, Barnham and Whozits CIRCUS screaming harpies who shouted down elected legislators and even threw feminine products at them!

This simply will not do. Texas has NEVER been afraid of strong Democrat leaders. But until Davis and her gaggle of screaming meemies, those Democrats were powerful legialators, thoughtful, responsible people, and more moderate than most east coast Republicans!

Governor "Tampax" 2014?I DON'T THINK SO!

September 1, 2013 @ 8:13 a.m.

Jim Baxa

Another fluff piece by the TT. Divorced x2 yet they try to portray her as a victim. They try to show her as a moderate even though she has a more liberal voting record than even most other democrats. She never crosses party lines on major votes. She supports the murder of babies until at least 6 months with no safety provisions for the mom. She is, and always will be, the Texas abortion barbie.

September 1, 2013 @ 8:27 a.m.

Michael B Openshaw

Seriously, Trib? ANOTHER piece on Wendy Davis? Are you recording all of these as in-kind contributions? Is this out of some vain hope she can actually have a shot at winning, despite the fact that- outside of Austin itself- her campaign would motivate FAR more pro-lifers to go to the polls than pro-'choice' ? Or are you all hoping for this campaign to provide at least temporary employment for a whole slew of liberals- like possibly some there currently working at the Trib? :)

September 1, 2013 @ 8:30 a.m.

Ellen Kudlicki

I do not care about Wendy Davis' colorful backstory. I do not care about her pink suit or her perky demeanor. What I care about is having a state government that reflects the will of the people. Davis flaunted that when she turned Austin into a circus over a law that is similar to laws in 42 other states and several European nations. And she did this in disdain for the overwhelming number of Texas women who oppose late term abortions. Why would anyone campaign against a law that would require BETTER medical preparation for emergencies? Why would she not want the best facilities and personnel to attend Texas women when the result of a mistake or emergency could result in death? Her strident tone would seem to be aimed at perpetuating Planned Parenthoods income flow and in the process the Texas Democrats thought they could mold her into a candidate. Here's the problem-for all her high profile Wendy Davis has the same basic problems as we have in Washington. She is relatively inexperienced in negotiations and has an agenda that does not reflect the population which she claims to want to represent. Sure, she can get undying allegiance in the liberal echochamber that is Austin, but it won't play well in places like Abilene, San Angelo, Waxahachie and Gainesville. If she runs, because of her antics, this will become a one issue campaign. I think Texans deserve better.

September 1, 2013 @ 8:50 a.m.

E. Quote

"Politics will eventually be replaced by imagery. The politician will be only too happy to abdicate in favor of his image, because the image will be much more powerful than he could ever be." (Marshall McLuhan)

I appreciate this TT article and the efforts of it's author. To many Texans, indeed human beings in general, form their opinion based on the 'image' and not facts. The problems facing Texas cannot be solved with images ...

I have criticized Texas Junior Senator for an weak legislative record, does such a criticism apply to to Wendy Davis. In the regular session, 83R, a search on 'Texas Legislature Online' returned 206 matches where she was the author alone (or with others) or the primary sponsor. This is not a suitable forum to review her legislative record, but it is clear that she is not just a leader of a "gaffle of screaming meemies". There is more to her than just an image, hopefully the Trib will show us the 'more' if she runs for governor.

I hope the Trib will follows up with an article on Greg Abbott.

September 1, 2013 @ 10:59 a.m.

Larry LaHue

I had to double-check to make sure I wasn't reading 'The Onion'. Really? A blonde barbie clone who's platform is infanticide?

Run, Wendy, run!

September 1, 2013 @ 11:51 a.m.

Oscar Herrera

Hate is not Good, Y'all should know that by now.Wendy has a big chance and everyday thanks to your name calling and hateful comments more people is understanding that the bill was about closing clinics and politics and not a "good heart" thing... But I understand Reps are scared, they had to work the district, they're adding restrictions to vote and they roll back a clock to pass a bill... And they do it because, you (voyers) wont care is just the way Reps do things... The way they roll.But now Texas is more open and soon we will a state in which each candidate will have to fight for us... But, first let's change to blue, Run Wendy please do.

September 1, 2013 @ 11:58 a.m.

Doug Eaton

Root writes: "As it turns out, Davis’ story is more complicated and nuanced than legend would have it."

True. Apparently Davis is a role model who has pulled herself up by her boot strings, has a lot of life experience, and is living the American Dream. Her life experiences give her the capacity to relate to many walks of life. She is courageous.

Fair wages? Does that mean my 18 years in the same career will be worth less, because someone in a 1 year career wants to make more? Pay what the job is worth or what the employee wants? We will all go broke. I have been poor all my life, but I choose freedom over fairness!

Which successful blue state would Davis have Texas emulate? Oh Wait. There isn't a successful blue state. If she is elected to the governorship Texas will become a huge bastardization of Detroit and Juarez.

I am so proud of Wendy. Killing those that can't fight back, the unborn, the most innocent.Wendy should be so proud of herself.

At least give these kids some pain meds before you rip their little arms off.

September 1, 2013 @ 4:44 p.m.

Bill Blackmon

I see the Tea Partiers/Real Texans have their slogans and talking points all lined up - 'unruly mob disrupts elected legislators', 'Governor Tampax', 'infanticide', 'feminine products', 'abortion Barbie', 'divorced', 'unmarried mother' - all of their petty morals, chauvinistic Texas rhetoric, F-15 fueled Don't Mess-With-Texas secession B.S. will be not be hidden from the rest of the world this time around........Texas is a laughing-stock and Abbott is another Perry/Bush clone - all of your guns and all of your cowboys vs. indians B.S. isn't going to hide the fact that Texas WILL be dragged into the 20th Century kicking and screaming to the delight of the rest of the world.......lock and load boys, the libtards are coming!

Thanks for that read. I didn't realize just how much she was "for sale". A shameless opportunist who's real sole claim to fame is filibustering against a law that over 60% of ALL women agree is correct. LOL. She was "single mom" for a short time but her real success came when she married well. this clip from the classic Casablanca comes to mind: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK-sSWkJUaQ

As a single Mother myself, I identify with many of the issues Senator Davis has faced in her past. She is an inspiration to me everyday. And knowing that my struggles are shared by many, it gives me courage to make a better life for my son and our future. Knowing that Senator Wendy Davis stands with Texas Women like myself gives me courage to stand with her every step of the way. Governor Wendy Davis has a great ring to it!

If she runs, it will be in the a cesspool of naked hatred and fundamentalist bigotry of a Texas that harkens back George Wallis and Bull Conners days in Alabama. The string of comments above are demonstrating emotions we should be ashamed of. This vitriol only makes us weaker and more subject to political exploitation. You are bringing to life darker times.

Wendy Davis' opponents and supporters should read this article without gender discrimination. Substitute "he", "his" etc. for all gender related pronouns. Can't do that? Can't see her life as an Horatio Alger story? Then you are the reason Wendy should not run for governor. No matter what political party, or which gender; if you care only about stopping women's health care and don't care about helping a newborn get the food and shelter and education needed for a health happy childhood then don't support Wendy Davis for Governor. But before you dismiss her candidacy try to understand there is a bigger picture to consider and it's time to think about the larger issues and an honest candidate.

"A few months later she sued the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, alleging that biased coverage led to her defeat and caused injury to her physical and mental health; the suit was later dismissed on free speech grounds"And the Texas Trib supports this anti-free speech candidate. Wow!

They also oppose Freedom of Information Act requests of public entities, yet they get these "non-partisan, independent media" grants and have a content sharing agreement with the New York Times. Really tells you something about the state of the media in this country.

The pro life movement has been proved to be based upon fraudulent precepts, therefore the Democratic party will by default benefit from an abandonment of "pro life" candidates by intelligent voters. The fact is that the Conservatives in Texas have led the State along a false path that has resulted in the death of Texas citizens, not in saving "babies". The Conservatives have a choice, they may save innocent born babies, children and adults (all are citizens) or to let those citizens die in a effort to save fetuses that may not be alive and may not be human enough to live as humans. The scientific fact is that 70 percent of conceptions die natural deaths in the first trimester. Among those that die, 60 percent die because they are not human enough genetically to live as humans. In effect, 42 percent of conceptions are not human enough to live, 28 percent die for other reasons and only 30 percent of conceptions live to become citizens. Search Google for "Scientific Abortion Laws". Read the "about" page first.

Is Texas Tribune giving equal time to any candidate she runs against? This looks like a super sweet personal look at a politician. Awe, school photos, how adorable. There is no way the Texas Tribune is a "non-partisan public media organization" you're a liberal rag just like the rest of them. Grow up Texas Tribune.

The Democrats are deluding themselves, Davis is on the wrong side of this issue.

September 2, 2013 @ 4:26 p.m.

Oscar Herrera

Lol I see a lot of Boys getting worry about the "boys only- club" they have... Wendy should be the next governor.Blue is coming to town!, Every day I see more change in texas... Abbott is the same and nothing new just maybe more restriction to minorities and women... Please Wendy run and let's change the air here in texas.... We really need it.

Plus she is dating Will Wynn, former Mayor of Austin, Texas. Cutest Mayor ever. My age. If they got married and she took his name she would be Wendy Wynn. I think PR consultants could do something with that moniker!

Wendy barely won her district in the last election because her constituents thought she was a moderate. Now the veil has been lifted, I really doubt she could win her Senate district, much less a state wide position. Good luck with that....